One method to make a caching container.
Now a geocache can be placed in many different containers. You can see many
examples. 
But many people like to use Ammo boxes. They are relatively inexpensive, and
if in good shape are very resistant to the weather. This is a set of
directions on how to make a cache container out of an Ammo box. To see larger
versions of the pictures just click on them. Now I do more than is necessary
just because I want to. Ammo boxes come in many sizes two of the most popular
sizes are the 30 caliber and 50 caliber. I have used both, but I have used 30
most of the time because they fit in my CamelBak Blowfish pack.®
The
first thing that I do to prepare an Ammo box is to sand the rusty spots if
any. Then paint the box. I use RUST-OLEUM® paint because I have had very good
luck over the years using to paint metal which had rusted. So since the Ammo
box is going to be in the weather I want it to survive in good shape. Plus I
want to cover the printing on box about ammunition.
I
suggest that anyone using an Ammo box for a cache at least paint it. Some
people actually use paint to camouflage it. You can get camouflage paint and
just paint random areas with the different colors, You can put leaves on it as
you paint then remove the leaves to create a leafy look.
Now
for the label. All geocache containers need some sort of label on them. This
is because there always is a chance that somebody other than a geocacher may
find it. This could be as simple as writing on the container with black
marker. But I wanted to do a little more than this. As the sidebar covers, I
had tried several different ways of marking a cache. But currently I have had
the best luck with making labels on bumper stick paper. I use Invent it®,
because I read that it had the best survival time on cars.
I
have
several graphics programs, which one I use depends on what I am doing. For
medium complicated graphic tasks I use Microsoft Image Composer®. So that is
what I used for this. I got copy of the Geocaching four square logo from
Jeremy Irish of geocaching.com fame, with the promise I wouldn't do anything
for money with it and altered the colors to make them have less contrast. If
anyone has Image Composer and agrees to Jeremy's request that money not be
made from it, I will supply them with the file. Now if you want a label but
don't want to go to all the trouble of making your own, the geocaching store
at shop.groundspeak.com, sells
a label. But his has more contrast. Also if you want there is a "Geocache
Container Tag" which attached instead of a label.
Now
the information inside the bumper sticker packages says the bumper sticker
produce are for temporary outdoor use.
Even the labels from the geocaching store says "fade resistant for up to
2 years". So I wanted to improved the life time of the label. I had some
Decoupage Finish left over from a non-geocaching project which had to survive
outdoors for a long time. So once the label was on the Ammo box, I put two
coats of this on it.
Now
this is what the finished product looks like, with the label on the Ammo box
and the coating applied.